The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a survey in 1986 to determine whether samples of fruits and fruit products contained residues of daminozide (Alar), a plant growth regulating chemical, and/or its degradation product, unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH). Maximum daminozide residue levels detected were 0.6 ppm in stored fresh apples, 0.8 ppm in applesauce, 1.1 ppm in apple juice, 3.6 ppm in frozen cherries, and 5.9 ppm in canned cherries. No daminozide was detected in grape juice samples, either single strength or concentrate. Maximum UDMH residue levels were 0.062 ppm in applesauce, 0.041 ppm in apple juice, 0.007 ppm in frozen cherries, and 0.60 ppm in the canned sour cherries. No UDMH was detected in stored, fresh apples or the grape juice products. No findings of daminozide exceeded the tolerances, which are 20 ppm for apples, 55 ppm for cherries, and 10 ppm for grapes.
A colorimetric method for determining the ammonia content in crabmeat in various stages of decomposition was studied collaboratively. The method involves the color reaction between ammonia, thymol, and alkaline bromine water. The mean values for organoleptic Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 of decomposition were found to be 281, 568, and 1376 μg NH3/g crabmeat, respectively. By statistical analysis these means were found to be significantly different from each other, and were found to arise from different populations. Useful cut-off points can be selected to separate the classes. The method has been adopted as official first action.
An improved method was developed for the quantitative determination of daminozide. This new method combines the alkaline hydrolysis and distillation steps of the PAMII method for daminozide with the derivatization, cleanup, and gas chromatographic determination steps of the Wright method for unsymmetrlcal dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH). The minimum detectable level Is 0.05 ppm. Recoveries range from 85 to 110% when daminozide Is added at 0.1 to 1.0 ppm, and are generally 40% at the 0.05 ppm level. A variety of domestic and imported products were analyzed by this Improved method and daminozide was detected In 33 of the 98 samples analyzed. Levels detected ranged from a trace amount to 0.80 ppm. The Identity of UDMH hydrazone was confirmed by mass spectrometry In many samples, thus confirming the presence of daminozide. Two samples containing daminozide were analyzed Independently by a second laboratory and the findings were closely duplicated.
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